Gov. Ige in Japan to Promote Travel Expansion
Aerial approach to Kahului Airport. File photo by Wendy Osher.
By Maui Now Staff
Gov. David Ige is meeting with Japan’s prime minister as well as travel industry partners, corporations and businesses today during his first full day in Tokyo, Japan, to promote and discuss expanded travel to the Hawaiian Islands and proposed pre-clearance of flights from Japan, which would ease access to the Hawaiian Islands and the Mainland.
Honolulu is currently the fourth largest port of entry for overseas arrivals to the US.
Japan has 18 daily flights to Hawai‘i each day, carrying 1.5 million visitors per year, who spend about $2.4 billion. That equates to $257 million in state tax revenues annually.
Today (Wednesday, June 17, in Japan), Gov. Ige is scheduled to meet with travel industry partners, including airlines and travel agents, before attending an evening reception with Japan’s travel industry leaders.
Tomorrow (Thursday, June 18, in Japan), Gov. Ige will meet with the Japan-Hawai‘i Legislators Friendship Association, various airlines and travel industry partners.
On Thursday, June 18 (Friday, June 19 in Japan), Gov. Ige will meet with Liberal Democratic Party members of the House of Representatives, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The governor is being accompanied on this trip by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s (HTA) Japan marketing partner, Chief of Staff Mike McCartney and Executive Services Assistant Scott Tome.
This trip will cost approximately $9,800 for air, hotel and ground transportation.
First Lady Dawn Ige will join the contingent on Wednesday, having departed for Japan yesterday morning. Mrs. Ige’s travel expenses will not be paid with state funds.
Gov. Ige will return to Hawai‘i on Friday.
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